Statesmen think of next generation, not next election - Rafidah blasts MCO inconsistency

 

Former minister Rafidah Aziz has panned what she called the uncertainty, incoherence and despair surrounding the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, telling the leadership that real statesmen think of the next generation’s future instead of being fixated with the next election.

“I do not want to belabour on what the government needs to be doing to manage the pandemic and attend to getting vaccines into people’s arms, but please do it in a coherent and efficient way.

“Please do not, on a daily basis, suddenly think of different and diverse groups to vaccinate to be specially announced by every abah, kakak and adik in government,” Rafidah told Malaysiakini.

She said the government needs to have a firm plan of the sectors of society it wants to be vaccinated instead of adopting an ad hoc approach to the process.

She cited groups such as schools, old folks homes and factories that should be given priority.

“Vaccinate workers so that they can continue to operate to meet key market demands - the onus should be on the factory management to ensure every employee is vaccinated.”

She also told off the Muhyiddin administration for its habit of announcing lockdowns at the last hour.

“Many, especially SMEs, the self-employed and businesses in general would have plans on investments and operations.”

Not mincing her words, she asked if the PN government intended to persist with a “Mexican shuffle” when it came to lockdowns.

“The infection rate is volatile, so will the lockdown be based upon whether it’s 4,000, 3,099, or 4,003 cases?” she asked in reference to Muhyiddin having set the 4,000 new daily Covid-19 cases as a marker for easing the MCO.

She also said that businesses did not want or need stopgap handouts but needed the freedom to operate.

She suggested designated business areas and special free permits to do so during the pandemic.

“Identify which categories of businesses can be allowed to operate with well-enforced parameters of safety and security in the context of the Covid-19 environment,” she said.

“It is very important that incoherent policy measures, and endless politicking do not kill the nation,” said the former Kuala Kangsar MP, who called for the lifting of the emergency and the reconvening of Parliament.

“Please don’t allow there to be lockdowns of common sense, rational thinking, empathy and understanding and of minds,” she said, taking a jab at ministers photographing themselves eating instant noodles.

“Remember, do not think of the next elections, but of the next generation. (Think of) those who have lost more than a year in education, skills enhancement, and opportunities,” she said. - Mkini